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U.N. Human Rights Council ResolutionCombating Defamation of ReligionsMarch 12, 2009
 
The Human Rights Council, Reaffirming
the pledge made by all States, under the Charter of the United Nations, topromote and encourage universal respect for and observance of all human rights andfundamental freedoms without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,
 Reaffirming also
that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent andinterrelated,
 Recalling
the 2005 World Summit Outcome adopted by the General Assembly in itsresolution 60/1 of 24 October 2005, in which the Assembly emphasized theresponsibilities of all States, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, torespect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kindand acknowledged the importance of respect and understanding for religious and culturaldiversity throughout the world,
 Recognizing
the valuable contribution of all religions to modern civilization and thecontribution that dialogue among civilizations can make towards improved awarenessand understanding of the common values shared by all humankind,
Welcoming
the resolve expressed in the United Nations Millennium Declaration adoptedby the General Assembly on 8 September 2006 to take measures to eliminate theincreasing acts of racism and xenophobia in many societies and to promote greaterharmony and tolerance in all societies, and looking forward to its effectiveimplementation at all levels,
Underlining
in this regard the
 
importance of the Durban Declaration
 
and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001, welcomingthe progress achieved in implementing them, and emphasizing that they constitute a solidfoundation for the elimination of all scourges and manifestations of racism, racialdiscrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,
Welcoming
all international and regional initiatives to promote cross-cultural andinterfaith harmony, including the Alliance of Civilizations and the International Dialogueon Interfaith Cooperation and their valuable efforts towards the promotion of a culture of peace and dialogue at all levels,
 
Welcoming further 
the reports of the Special Rapporteur submitted to the Council at itsfourth, sixth and ninth sessions that highlight the serious nature of the defamation of allreligions and the need to complement legal strategies
;
 Noting with deep concern
the instances of intolerance, discrimination and acts of violenceagainst followers of certain faiths, occurring in many parts of the world, in addition to thenegative projection of certain religions in the media
 
and the introduction and enforcementof laws and administrative measures that specifically discriminate against and targetpersons with certain ethnic and religious backgrounds,
 
particularly Muslim minoritiesfollowing the events of 11 September 2001
,
and that threaten to impede their fullenjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Stressing
that defamation of religions is a serious affront to human dignity leading torestriction on the freedom of religion of their adherents and incitement to religious hatredand violence,
 Noting with concern
that defamation of religions
,
and incitement to religious hatred ingeneral, could lead to social disharmony
 
and violations of human rights, and alarmed atthe inaction of some States to combat this burgeoning trend
 
and the resultingdiscriminatory practices against adherents of certain religions and in this context stressingthe need to effectively combat defamation of all religions and incitement to religioushatred in general and against Islam and Muslims in particular
,
 
Convinced 
that respect for cultural, ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity, as well asdialogue among and within civilizations, is essential for global peace and understandingwhile manifestations of cultural and ethnic prejudice, religious intolerance andxenophobia generate hatred and violence among peoples and nations,
Underlining
the important role of education in the promotion of tolerance, whichinvolves acceptance by the public of and its respect for diversity,
 Noting
various regional and national initiatives to combat religious and racial intoleranceagainst specific groups and communities and emphasizing, in this context, the need toadopt a comprehensive and non-discriminatory approach to ensure respect for all racesand religions,
 Recalling
its resolution 7/19 of 27 March 2008 and UNGA resolution 63/154 of 18December 2008,
1. Takes note
of the report of the High Commissioner on the compilation of existinglegislation and jurisprudence concerning defamation of and contempt of religions and thereport of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination,xenophobia and related intolerance presented during the 9
th
session of the Human RightsCouncil;
 
2.
 Expresses deep concern
at the negative stereotyping and defamation of religions andmanifestations of intolerance and discrimination in matters of religion or belief, stillevident in the world, which have led to intolerance against the followers of thesereligions;3.
Strongly deplores
all acts of psychological and physical violence and assaults, andincitement thereto, against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, and such actsdirected against their businesses, properties, cultural centres and places of worship, aswell as targeting of holy sites, religious symbols and venerated personalities of allreligions;4.
 Expresses deep concern
at the continued serious instances of deliberate stereotyping of religions, their adherents and sacred persons
 
in the media
,
as well as programmes andagendas pursued by extremist organizations and groups aimed at creating andperpetuating stereotypes about certain religions, in particular when condoned byGovernments;5.
 Notes with deep concern
the intensification of the overall campaign of defamation of religions, and incitement to religious hatred in general, including the
 
ethnic and religiousprofiling of Muslim minorities in the aftermath of the tragic events of 11 September2001
;
6.
 Recognizes
that, in the context of the fight against terrorism, defamation of religions
,
 and incitement to religious hatred in general have, become aggravating factors
 
thatcontribute to the denial of fundamental rights and freedoms of members of target groups,as well as to their economic and social exclusion;7.
 Expresses deep concern
in this respect that Islam is frequently and wrongly
 
associatedwith human rights violations and terrorism
 
and in this regard regrets the laws oradministrative measures specifically designed to control and monitor Muslim minorities,thereby stigmatizing them and legitimizing the discrimination they experience;8.
 Deplores
the use of the print, audio-visual and electronic media, including the Internet,and any other means to incite acts of violence, xenophobia or related intolerance anddiscrimination towards any religion, as well as targeting of religious symbols andvenerated persons
;
9.
 Emphasizes
that, as stipulated in international human rights law including articles 19and 29 of UDHR and 19 and 20 of ICCPR, everyone has the right to hold opinionswithout interference, and has the right to freedom of expression, the exercise of whichcarries with it special duties and responsibilities and may therefore be subject tolimitations as are provided for by law and are necessary for respect of the rights orreputations of others, protection of national security or of public order, public health ormorals, and general welfare;
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